Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Three Cheese Baked Ziti recipe. A deliciously cheesy pasta bake that’s easy to make and perfect for a cozy family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Ziti:
- 12 ounces ziti pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Sauce:
- 3 cups marinara or pasta sauce
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish (optional):
- Fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Ziti: Cook ziti in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In a skillet, sauté onion and garlic, then add marinara sauce, basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer.
- Mix Ingredients: Combine pasta, ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, half of Parmesan, and half of the sauce in a bowl.
- Bake: Transfer to a baking dish, top with remaining sauce and cheeses. Bake covered, then uncover until bubbly and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
- Add cooked ground beef or Italian sausage for a meatier version.
- Swap ricotta with cottage cheese if preferred.
- Make ahead and refrigerate—add 10 more minutes to bake time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
